Mondo Duplantis awarded prestigious title he is never allowed to win again

The iconic pole vaulter cemented his place as one of athletics' biggest stars this year, winning his second gold medal at the Paris Olympics and breaking the world record on three separate occasions.

Duplantis' heroics mean he has now set a new pole vault world's best an astonishing nine times, which currently stands at 6.26 metres.

Away from his favoured discipline, the American-born Swede also made the headlines for his track exploits in September, when he beat 400m hurdler Karsten Warholm in a 100m exhibition race.

And these feats have not gone unnoticed in Sweden, with Duplantis receiving the country's prestigious Bragdguldet award in recognition of his outstanding performance this year.

Created in 1925, the annual prize is awarded to the most significant Swedish sporting achievement of the year.

Read More in Athletics

'That's when I knew' - Usain Bolt first broke 100m world record without even trying

What is Grand Slam Track? Michael Johnson's athletics league that Noah Lyles could star in

Duplantis previously picked up the Bragdguldet in 2020, a year which saw him break the pole vault world record for a first and second time in the space of a week.

The 25-year-old's latest triumph here sees him join an exclusive group, with only five athletes having claimed the prestigious sports award twice.

Alongside Duplantis, the other four two-time winners are tennis great Bjorn Borg, alpine ski gold medallists Ingemar Stenmark and Anja Parson, and swimming star Sarah Sjostrom.

Unfortunately for the athlete, however, his second Bragdguldet award will also be his last.

Most read in Football

Spurs fans terrified as billionaire NFL owner suffering 30-year trophy drought linked

Man United release statement after scrapping LGBTQ+ jackets over player's refusal

Julen Lopetegui on the brink of West Ham sack with three possible replacements waiting

'Devastated' Shaw posts emotional statement as Man United react to latest injury setback

According to the rules set out by publication Svenska Dagbladet, who select the winner, no athlete can receive the prize more than twice.

These stipulations meant that fellow Olympics hero Sjostrom was ruled out of contention despite claiming 50m and 100m freestyle gold in Paris, having previously won the award in 2015 and 2017.

Svenska Dagbladet wrote that Duplantis had received the 2024 prize: "For historic Olympic gold and world record. An enchanting height and feat in a class of its own."

Speaking from his second home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the former LSU athlete expressed his joy at claiming the award.

He said, per Aftonbladet: "It's a huge honour, it's very special."

Duplantis also admitted that he was thrilled to join a star-studded list of two-time winners: "These are the biggest athletes.

"It's good company. It's quite sick actually, it's a bit hard to understand but it helps to see the greatness of it."

Comparing his second Bragdguldet scoop with his first in 2020, Duplantis added: "It's pretty much the same feeling.

"I had a very good year in 2020. This year, I did kind of everything. I was in the same apartment then, at 6 am, I have a bit of deja vu, actually."

And the enormity of yet-another historic achievement was not lost on Duplantis, as he revealed he planned to mark the occasion.

Despite the Swede speaking from the early hours of the morning in the USA, he was clear that he would enjoy his latest success with his loved ones.

When asked how he planned to celebrate, Duplantis replied: "I don't know, drink up... Start waking up, enjoy the rest of the day, celebrate with my family later today."